Newcastle United has pulled off one of the biggest coups in Australian soccer history by signing former England and Socceroos manager Terry Venables, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The Herald said Venables has agreed to terms for a one-year deal and will coach United in the new Australian Premier League next year.

The 61-year-old will be head coach and have sole control of recruitment and technical direction.

The deal is subject to Newcastle United's likely inclusion in the proposed elite eight-team domestic competition, which is scheduled to start next July. Venables will visit Newcastle in November and move to the Hunter from his London base next year.

United general manager Jock Graham said the appointment of Venables was the most significant signing in the club's four-year history and sent a strong message to the rest of the code nationally.

"He is a coach of the highest calibre and we are delighted to have him in charge at United for the inaugural Australian Premier League," Graham told the Herald.

"By signing Terry Venables, whose football credibility and pedigree speaks for itself, it tells you that [owner] Con Constantine is serious about the next five years. He [Constantine] has made a massive commitment to the city and the code."

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